TV Stand Design Styles Guide : Keep it clean

Television has been the primary source of entertainment for people around the world for decades. However, this traditional form of entertainment has changed dramatically with the development of technology and the Internet. The advent of the OTT service has made it possible for people to watch their favorite shows through multiple screens other than television, such as phones, laptops, projection screens, and so on, whenever and wherever they desire.

To face the challenge, TV itself is being revolutionized to attract more audiences. For example, the emergence of smart TVs has popularized television again, especially among younger generations. Research shows that in 2022, American adults will spend approximately 3 hours binge-watching TV per day. Following current TV viewing habits, this article aims to provide an easy-to-understand TV stand buying guide based on their design styles.

TV Stand Design Styles Guide : industrial

How to Select the Style of Your TV Stand?

Stylized TV stands are prevalent in today’s market, because they accommodate a variety of interior home styles. When choosing a style, keep the TV stand consistent with the rest of the living room. If you want the TV area to be a centerpiece of your living room, you may select a TV console that is fashionable and eye-catching.

Modern&Contemporary

When it comes to Modern&Contemporary TV Consoles, they’re the ideal blend of functionality and minimalist design. Its multi-function involves electric fireplaces, adjustable storage shelves, LED lights, etc. This type of TV media cabinet is often made of one or two of the following materials: wood, metal and glass. Modern TV consoles are usually close to the floor, have a wider range of length options and only need a few steps to install. If you seek a more diverse TV viewing experience, you can choose a modern or contemporary TV stand.

Mid-century Modern

Mid-century modern style furniture is appealing to people who value design and style. Mid-century Modern TV Stands with their elevated design, exquisite doors, and classic tapered legs, evoke a cozy retro ambiance. Most mid-century modern TV tables are made from wooden materials, and smaller in size (fitting 50-60’’ TVs) for a cute look. If you’re a fan of vintage-style furniture or want to buy a stunning living room piece, consider purchasing a mid-century modern TV stand.

TV Stand Design Styles Guide :  farmhouse & country

Farmhouse&Country

Farmhouse&Country TV Consoles have specific external features, including metal hinges and corner accents, barn-style cabinet doors, and white/gray-colored finish. Most modern farmhouse TV stands&media centers have powerful storage functions with open and closed compartments, making them versatile pieces of furniture that can be used in bedrooms, kitchens, hallways and more. Due to their country-style details and warm color palette, farmhouse TV stands best fit for farmhouse style living rooms or living rooms with a neutral color scheme.

Rustic&Industrial

A mix of metal and wooden elements is the crucial characteristic of Rustic&Industrial TV Stands. They always have a streamlined profile and come in multiple sizes. To give your apartment living room a sleek feeling, rustic&industrial TV stands sport open shelf designs, which are convenient for you to use the cable box, DVD player, game system, etc. Most industrial TV stands are crafted from engineered wood and metal materials, so they’re a budget-friendly option for most households.

TV Stand Design Styles Guide : Industrial – Yaheetech Modern Industrial TV Stand for TVs up to 55 Inch

Yaheetech’s TV stand collection covers a wide range of styles, sizes and designs, and most importantly, is affordable for most of you. This article’s selection is our 2022 latest model: a modern industrial style TV console. It’s made of high-quality particle board and X-shaped steel frame.

The tabletop measures 55’’ in width with a max weight capacity of 176 lb, which is perfect for TVs up to 55’’. It has 5 open compartments that come in 3 sizes. The 2 seamless large ones have pre-drilled cable management holes that can accommodate game consoles and the other 3 can house trinkets, souvenirs and more. Available in 2 colors (rustic brown and gray), you can choose the one compatible with your room style and décor.

How to Decorate Different Styles of TV Stands?

After you’ve chosen your ideal TV cabinet, the next thing to do is to decorate your TV stand&entertainment center. Here are some decorating ideas for different styled TV stands.

TV Stand Design Styles Guide

Farmhouse Wood TV Stand

To cozy up a farmhouse wood TV stand, you may use light colored accent pieces that coordinate with your TV cabinet. You can pick some farmhouse accents, such as woven storage baskets, distressed wooden signs and faux plants, to add a vintage feel and personality to your living room.

Contemporary TV Stand

Decorating a minimalist contemporary TV console always adheres the design principle: less is more, which means limiting decor items to 3-4 pieces. Begin with a coffee table book collection, and add height with a flower vase. To achieve a clutter-free tabletop, you can use a decorative tray to group other decor objects, which is very functional and beautiful.

TV Stand Design Styles Guide : Mid-century Modern

Mid-century Modern TV Stand

Styling a mid-century modern TV cabinet is an excellent opportunity to show your personality. You can achieve this simply by placing geometric art frames, unique decorative sculptures and glam accent pieces. What’s more, don’t be afraid to use bold color hues, such as orange, blue and green to balance the wooden color of your media center, creating a vivid and warm atmosphere in your living room.

Industrial TV Stand

Thanks to the fantastic combination of wooden finish and metal pipe legs, the industrial TV entertainment center could be an eye-catching piece even without any decoration. You can place an x-shaped industrial bookshelf on both sides of the TV stand to complete the cool, industrial look. Apart from that, adding metal, industrial accent pieces is also a good way to go.

Conclusion

Hope this design style guide is helpful to you! Do you have any other creative ways to decorate a TV stand? Let us know in the comments section below!

Home Office Addition Ideas : Customized Shed

What is the easiest way to add space to your abode? One is to remodel your garage or your basement. Second, invest in office pods or work sheds, or upgrade the garden shed. If you are still working at home and find it distracting to see everyday home stuff, it’s best to take your office out of the house. Here are some home office addition ideas you can consider for you and the family.

Home Office Addition Ideas : Medium Work Pod (image via https://apresfurniture.com/uk/medium-plenty-pod)

Mini Work Pod

If you have a garden, a work pod may be a good idea. Essentially, Mini Work Pods are quiet spaces for improved focus. In an office setting, it is a  smart type of an enclosed mini office booth for workers who often have difficulty finding the best private corner. At home, it can be installed in the garden while remote working.

There are customizable work pods you can buy, optimised and produced to your needs. Some features include sound-proofing, motion sensor lights, automatic ventilation, and waterproof external frame finish. Having a soundproof room to your own makes working more productive, having less distractions as one would on a regular room setup.

Apres Furniture specifically manufacture pods of different sizes and needs that are self-contained and need no planning permission, these pods also pass every building standard and fire-regulation needed in office buildings.

And because each piece is customisable, having install them in the garden with the right specifications is also doable. It is best to always measure and consider outside factors when buying a work pod.

Remodel Your Garage

A cheap way to have a home office is to remodel and organize your garage. There’s a tendency for the garage to become a storage area later on, especially if you have a big one. Normally, only stuff related to the car should be in it but over time, it becomes overwhelmed with many other things. Even if you have storage cabinets installed in your garage, it is best to make use of your basement for other items.

Have you the space to divide your garage to make for an office, it is best to do so. As your office can still be accessible both from the house and can have a separate entrance.

Home Office Addition Ideas : Garage Remodelled

Spare Room or Space

Do you have a room to spare for mini-office? It doesn’t have to be the biggest, in fact even the space under the stairs can be transformed into an office. If you have bigger rooms, you can divide one to create office space. A divider will serve both as a storage unit and partition for you new office corner. Imagination is key when looking for spaces at home to create an office space.

Home Office Addition Ideas : Home Office and…Plant Room?

Pin This! (Home Office Addition Ideas)

Basement or Attic Makeover

Two of the spare rooms that are obvious candidates for including work area at home would be the basement and the attic, should you have them. On extremes, picking the attic would mean you have plenty of light, while you might need to supplement your lights for the basement.

Sure, both rooms are used for storing, but there’s no rule to what you can really make out of each.

Loft

If you have high ceiling, a loft is an easy addition to create more space in your home. You can make use of the loft not only as a home office area, but also many other things: gym, music room, game room, and “library”.

Space Under the Stairs

Yes, it’s a cool thing. Converting the space under the stairs may take some  time, but it certainly is a good spot for an office area.

Home Office Addition Ideas : Basement area

Garden Shed

Garden sheds, whether made from plastic, resin, or weathering steel, make for not-so-expensive office rooms. Converting a garden shed to an office takes very little effort. Your shed might not have a suitable window for ventilation so contact a reputable artisan to help you materialize what you imagine for your garden shed office conversion.

Home Office Addition Ideas : Convert Your Garden Shed

Container Office

Like work pods, there are ready-made container offices ready to be shipped to your home for easy use. This might be expensive than the other office “boxes” so if you can DIY one, it’s not only cost-effective, it’s also eco-friendly. Repurposing shipping containers mean less metal waste – as these would be discarded after a certain point.

Upcycling a shipping container for home office use mean losing less cement, which isn’t really earth-friendly. You can also opt to use solar panels to power it. All in all, you lessen your carbon footprint as you choose environment-conscious choices.

Home Office Addition Ideas : Container Office

Moving Concierge: Don’t forget the cats

Moving into a new location often comes with a load of lists involving thing to do. The internet does not always help people find all of the essential services they will need upon moving into a new home.

Kandela Concierge provides personalized service that helps the relocation process go much smoother. Home owners can understand how Kandela works by by considering all of the necessary services and subscriptions that are needed for a new house. A company such as Kandela basically searches for TV, phone, internet, utility, water and other providers in the local area to where the clients will be moving.

Personalized

A personal moving concierge company finds the best rates for all of the essential services required for a new household. Of course, such service can be personalized to find the best options that don’t necessarily come at the cheapest price. For example, clients can request to receive the highest speed internet package but cheapest phone service from a service provider.

A concierge service agent makes endless phone calls to all of the service providers and finalizes all of the deals involving opening new accounts and scheduling appointments. For new home owners, it is desirable to have all of the installation technicians arrive within the same day. Surely, a concierge service can make such requests when signing up their clients for cable, electricity, water, phone and gas service.

Moving Tasks

Concierge services also take care of moving tasks that require packaging and transport. The personal agent searches for companies that provide reasonable rates on transportation costs for local and long distant moves. The moving companies also provide safe and reliable packaging and unloading services from an old residence directly into a new home. Concierge moving service try to find moving companies that offer insurance policies in case anything goes wrong during the packing, unloading and transportation processes.

Other Installations

Homeowners moving into a new location may have special requests for their new homes such as alarm systems, surveillance systems, swimming pool installation, landscaping and more. Concierge services can easily set up these services and inform the clients about the companies that will provide the service.

Concierge services may also specialize in transferring accounts from one location to another. For example, auto insurance policies can easily be transferred to cover vehicles moving in between states. Similarly, other companies that provide nationwide services such as wireless carriers can also offer account transfer options for moving.

Eco Friendly Outdoor Lighting Options For Your Garden: LED

The UK became the first major world economy that took steps to completely end its contribution to global warming by 2050, thus, committing to a ‘net-zero’ target. In its efforts, in January 2021, the Ministry of Housing announced fresh eco-legislation. The law passed sets out plans for all new domestic buildings in the UK to be constructed following strict energy efficient standards. Hopefully, this would result in a plan for all new homes to be ‘zero carbon ready’ by 2025.

How can you as a homeowner contribute? There are many ways. The viessmann.co.uk points out that by 2050, the average net-zero  home could feature the following:

1. Altering the building makeup to have increased levels of insulation, better natural ventilation and improved use of natural light.

2. Solar panels, handy energy storage system found in the garage, with converted energy that can be safely and efficiently stored and used at different times of the day, controlled by smart Wi-Fi enabled tech, while the artificial lighting will make use of efficient LEDs.

3. Green spaces, even wall mounted greenery that’s designed to remove toxins.

4. More sustainable materials, both inside and outside, like durable bamboo flooring.

5. Smart wastewater collection system takes rainwater from the roof and stores it in tanks accessible for home use. This water can be used to flush toilets and other things that doesn’t require very clean water (garden watering), instead of the usual water supply to avoid water wastage.

While these changes may occur in the near future, it is not a bad idea to begin as early as now in conserving energy, water, and/or making your home a little greener. For  starters, using better, eco friendly outdoor lighting is a good step.

Outdoor lighting makes your home safe and secure. Shadows are eliminated, and that makes it harder for criminals to hide. Walkways are illuminated, so your guests won’t hurt themselves with an unfortunate fall. However, you want to choose eco-friendly lights that are beautiful in the garden and good for the environment. Here are a few options to consider.

Let the Sun Charge It

The sun provides you with free energy, and you can put it to work for you with beautiful solar lights. Solar lights can be placed anywhere around the home, and you won’t have to run any extra wires. Appropriate for planting beds, patios, pathways and even driveways, the lights add beauty to your home at night and make it less attractive to criminals. However, they cannot be used in areas that remain shaded throughout the day. They also won’t take a full charge during periods of rain and overcast skies.

Motion Lights for Security

You don’t necessarily want the lights burning throughout the night. Solar lights may not charge sufficiently to remain illuminated throughout the night, and running regular lights that long can drive your bill up. However, motion lights are an excellent option for making the home more secure. Turning on when there is movement in the area, motion lights should ideally be used around entry doors to deter criminals while still being easy on the environment.

Eco Friendly Outdoor Lighting Options For Your Garden: night light

LED Bulbs for Long Illumination

Invest in exterior lighting with LED bulbs to enjoy an illuminated yard throughout the evening. LED lights require a fraction of the electricity, and they can be left on all night long without raising your carbon footprint. Available in the most popular outdoor lighting fixtures, they are readily available. Hardwired with low voltage lines, they are also affordable to install. Since they aren’t dependent on the sun, they can be installed anywhere around your property including in shaded areas. Consider seeking professional advice from landscaping expert such as PPG  in Australia to make sure the light effects will fit in well with your landscaping design.

Upgrading Existing Lights

If you already have outdoor lighting, you can make what you have more energy efficient. Purchase LED bulbs to replace spotlights and other bulbs that use more energy. You won’t have to spend the money on a new fixture, but you will see a pleasant reduction in your lighting bill. LED lights are preferable to traditional incandescent and floods because they use less electricity and last much longer.

Avoid Fluorescent Bulbs

Pin – Eco Friendly Outdoor Lighting Options For Your Garden

Fluorescent bulbs are popular because they take less electricity. However, they carry their own risks for the environment. These bulbs contain mercury, and just one teaspoon of this hazardous substance can contaminate a 20-acre lake. Leading to neurological damage if consumed, mercury is harmful to the environment and your family.

When you are ready to add beautiful outdoor lighting to your home, choose eco-friendly options that will help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

Options like LED lights and solar options cost less money to operate and will last for years to come. However, their best feature is that they are safe for the environment and your family. It’s also one of the simplest ways to go green as early as now.

When DIY Goes Wrong: How to Survive A DIY Disaster

Everyone who has ever picked up a hammer will have had dreams of transforming their drab old home into a place of wonder, a utopian construct formed by your very own capable hands. Ah, DIY. Why would you ever want to call in a professional?

That’s not a hypothetical question, and it has a very simple answer – because a DIY project can go very, very wrong, very, very quickly.

It’s probably fair to say that 95% of the people who have undertaken more than one DIY project, or remaking your home will have encountered some kind of issue, whether minor (like a cosmetic crack in the wall) or major (like drilling straight through a water pipe).

What defines a good DIY’er is not the fact that they’ve made this mistake, but how they react to it. Do they crumble in the face of adversity or do they rise up the challenge and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?

Here are a few things to do when something goes horribly wrong with your DIY project:

 Don’t Panic!

First and foremost, don’t panic. Of course, that’s easy to say while I’m sat behind a computer and you’re desperately looking for ways to patch up a broken water pipe that’s threatening to turn your bathroom into the Hoover Dam but really, don’t panic. Calm down. Think happy thoughts.

Panicking is the worst thing you can do when something goes wrong because panic leads to rationality going out of the window. The only thing anyone is capable of in a panicked state is making things worse in a desperate attempt to make things better. So step back, have a cup of tea (or your comforting beverage of choice) and try to come up with a plan…

…but don’t ignore the problem either.

On the other side of the coin, ignoring a problem can make it even worse than if you’d have panicked and desperately swung a hammer at whatever has gone wrong. Not only does ignoring a problem make it worse, but it’ll also add weeks, months or maybe even years to your project.

In short, step back, relax and think of a plan…but don’t leave it too long.

When DIY Goes Wrong: How to Survive A DIY Disaster

Break down the problem

Before embarking on the project, you probably broke it down into manageable chunks and set out some kind of plan to tackle the project in a decent space of time. If not, well…it might be why the projects turned out to be a disaster.

Still, it’s never too late to pick up good habits so think about the problem and try and break it down. What exactly is the issue, and what do you need to do to fix it? How long will it take to fix it? Do you need to spend any more money?

Breaking down a problem and forming a plan can make what seems like an insurmountable obstacle suddenly seem much more manageable and transform a disaster into a mild distraction.

Think about your budget

Accidents are costly and will undoubtedly take a significant chunk of your allotted budget to fix. In an ideal world, you’ll have accounted for any potential unfortunate incidents while budgeting but we don’t live in an ideal world and the chances are you haven’t. Never mind…

When coming up with a solution to your DIY disaster, keep your budget at the forefront of your thinking. While fixing the mistake has to be your first priority, you shouldn’t bankrupt yourself in the process. Try and find an acceptable route to fixing the problem that suits your finances.

Call in help

Calling in professional help is like kryptonite to a proud DIY’er, denting their pride and seemingly acting as an admission that they can’t finish the job. And you know what? It is. But there’s no shame in admitting that you can’t do everything yourself. In fact, it takes a lot of guts to admit you were wrong and to call in an expert to fix your mistakes.

 The cost of calling in a professional will vary, so shop around for quotes first. Depending on the nature of your mistake, you may need to call in emergency help although it should be noted that this usually comes at a higher price so if you can hang on, do.

See, not so bad is it? Keep a cool head and follow these tips and you should sail through any DIY disasters!

Christopher Smith is writing on behalf of Excel Compressors, specialist suppliers of used air compressors for DIY purposes.

When DIY Goes Wrong: How to Survive A DIY Disaster

Create The Look of Charming Cottage Gardens in Your Yard: Planters and Hydrangeas

The efficiency of modern technology requires career driven professionals and business minded individuals to work at a faster pace in order to keep up with the trends. This should not be a problem for a motivated and dedicated worker until the body gives in to stress and results to breakdown. Everybody needs a break from the hustle once in a while and one way to get some peace and quiet is to spend some time in an idyllic place like a charming cottage garden or a nature resort of your choice.

Cottage gardens or villas are some of the practical choices for quiet relaxation. These quaint venues exude an atmosphere of leisure where you can leave all your cares away and simply indulge in the lush colors of nature, the fresh scent of flowers, the cool garden breeze and a pleasant landscape. You can lazily spend your morning or afternoon sitting on a bench with your favorite novel, paint the landscape in a propped up easel just like the old days or sip some English tea and scones while chatting with a friend or a loved one. A weekend or a day spent in this environment guarantees to melt your stress away.

Old-World Charm

There are two ways to avail of an R&R escape to a charming cottage garden. One is to purchase vacation packages in chalets or garden cottages and the other one is to set up your own cottage garden right in your own yard. Those who are looking for more leisure activities are best left to book vacation packages in out of town locations. However, for those who just want to enjoy an afternoon off from the daily chaos then the front or backyard will do.

Create The Look of Charming Cottage Gardens in Your Yard: Flowers of different colors

Creating Charming Cottage Garden Look in Your Yard

There are several advantages of having a cottage garden in your backyard, even you don’t have a cottage. ^_^ First is the convenience and accessibility. You don’t need to book reservations for anything in order to enjoy a quick R&R. All you have to do is step into your backyard and bask in the tranquil environment of your garden.

Second is the therapeutic effect of tending your own garden. Sometimes, doing something routine and ordinary can help us clear our minds and make better decisions. Also, the cost efficiency benefit. Those who stress themselves out to earn a living for the family need not worry about expenses since you can easily build a cottage-inspired garden in your own yard without costing an arm. Plus, you also get to save on booking garden get away vacations that you can already enjoy in your own home. Furthermore, your home’s value also increases when you landscape your garden.

Plan

Time spent on creating charming cottage gardens are well worth it, if only for the stress relief that it brings. It can also be ideal venues for cozy afternoon parties with a few close friends. The value of these quaint landscapes shouldn’t be easily underestimated as it can contribute to taking care of both your emotional and social well-being.

To start off, plan out the look of your garden, and what you would want to be in it. At best, talk to someone who works with gardens and landscapes to give you a rough idea of budget, placing, watering systems, and water installations if you want to. You can also hire a landscaper directly to layout the whole space. Start small, you can do one corner after the other, until you finish the whole lot – and see how each area unfolds to the look you want to achieve.

Charming Cottage Garden: Flower Arrangements for Indoor

Buy Good Soil, Tough Plants, Pretty Planters

If you decide to DIY, make sure to buy organic soil, and a mix of good draining soil that’s also porous. Sometimes, the soil that you readily have in the garden is too compact for plants to thrive in.

Roses are the best picks for any garden, as they are tough and pretty whether as a bush or full-grown tree. Pick your favourite colour so you could see them readily from your window every time you look out. You can also include wisteria, bougainvilleas, coneflowers, hydrangeas for your mains, and include poppies, lavenders, silver ragworts, and livingstone daisies for smaller, colorful flowers to fill up the nooks.

If you want to use planters or pots, choose uniquely-shaped ones, wicker ones work too but they tend to deteriorate when wet. Others recycle items that add charm, like old prams, tubs, and such.

Style/Landscape Your Area

If you can, find some boulders to break the clusters of flowers, arranging them in a way that focuses others more. They could well be your focal points,  that which draws viewers to a certain spot or “destination.” A red bench for example also works best as it is something that people can sit on, have coffee at, read a book, an atmosphere that they would always reminisce.

You can also install a koi pond, or a small fountain for the birds. Water landscaping is also a beautiful addition, but that’s for another post.

Other Things to Consider When Creating  A Charming Cottage Garden Look

Pin This! (Create The Look of A Charming Cottage Garden in Your Yard)

The minute details that you include in your garden work makes a big difference. To add some more charm to your cottage garden, try including the following.

Lamps

While morning walks in the garden are bright, night time would be a lot different. Installing solar-powered outdoor lights, motion lights, and/or led lights would aid seeing at night and avoid untoward incidents.

Garden Path

Create a foot path that could either be covered with gravel, wood chips or concrete blocks. Garden paths gives way to crowded planting (which is not bad as long as you can still go through).

Picket Fence

White picket fences add elegance and a certain charm in any garden. While not all cottage gardens have them, they just seem to go well together.

There are a lot more trinkets, bric-à-brac that you might fancy to see in your garden. If you have the space, a hammock or a swing would also be a fun addition that the kids (and maybe adults) would appreciate.

You don’t have to live in Florida or another area that enjoys tropical temperatures to liven up the outside of your home. Spicing up your yard can achieve both relaxing and beautiful results. The type of investment you put into your home’s exterior could do more than add curb appeal to your home. It could increase the overall value of your property. If you’re at a loss as to where to get new ideas for your yard and garden, start researching different types of outdoor furniture.

A great way to get ideas on the type of outdoor furniture you can add to your yard’s appeal is to take pictures of outdoor furniture you see while traveling. For example, if you travel to different regions of the country while on vacation, pull out your digital camera and take pictures of chairs, umbrellas, and tables that catch your eye. Cottage gardens are the best inspiration. Do the same thing while traveling internationally and you could create unique designs outside your home, possibly becoming the talk of the town with people who pass by or visit your residence. Here are some things to keep in mind before spicing up your yard.

Furniture Material

The type of material your outdoor furniture is made also matters. For example, you could buy or make your own outdoor chairs and sofas that are made of shipping pallets. This is just what the WLNS “Nine Pieces of Furniture Made From Shipping Pallets” article discusses.

In the article, it’s shared that, “Shipping pallets are a plentiful source of wood to reclaim and build with.” As with other unique, yet appealing types of outdoor furniture, you might not always consider shipping pallets to be a great source of furniture material.

This is because, as the article further shares, “Since pallets are rough-hewn, they lend themselves to rustic pieces of furniture, which happen to be in style right now. With imagination and some basic carpentry skills, you can turn shipping pallets into all kinds of practical and whimsical furniture.” What types of outdoor furniture can you make with shipping pellets? You can use the pallets to make:

· Sofas
· Chairs
· Picnic table
· Farmhouse table
· Coffee table
· TV stand
· Dresser

You probably won’t use the last two items outdoors unless you place them on a sunscreen porch.

Read related: 3 Ways to Update the Look of Your Home

Tough Materials for Longer Life

Other materials you can choose from when you buy furniture to decorate your home’s exterior include metal, plastic, and pressure-treated wood. To save money, look for furniture that has been treated, furniture that’s built to hold up in the event it gets wet. If you buy large patio umbrellas or plastic coverings for your furniture, you could also keep the furniture from becoming sun-scorched or faded.

DIY

It seems like a monumental task to make your own furniture, but with a little bit of imagination and some tools, it is doable. There are a lot of youtube videos you can watch and follow when making accents for your yard. Here are some more items you can add in spicing up your yard, some you could DIY, others you can readily buy:

Corner Sofa

You can DIY a corner sofa from pallets, you just need to buy foams so they stay comfy.

Solar lights

Solar lights are a good alternative for normal lights. It won’t require electricity and will make walking at night at your yard safer for you and the family.

Pergola

Can be bought, but DIYs are doable too. You can even put a see-through roof to protect furniture under it, but still, get sunlight while having coffee.

Hammock

What better way to enjoy reading than in a hammock? You can hang them between two pergola poles, or between two trees. See the best offers from Hammockstore for single hammocks, family hammocks, hammocks with stands, and choose from the many colors and sizes.

Flowers

Who doesn’t cheer up around flowers? Decorate your yard with plants and flowers, even have wisteria grow on the pergola for natural shade.

Scout Online and Compare

Also, take the time to compare online and offline prices on outdoor furniture, to get the best deal possible. But, keep in mind that if you order products online, you may have to pay shipping and handling. If these costs are steep, you might be better off buying from local vendors and using a truck to pick up your new furniture yourself.

Pin This! (Spicing Up Your Yard to Add Curb Appeal to Your Home)

Pin This! (Spicing Up Your Yard to Add Curb Appeal to Your Home)

—

]]> https://home.101facets.com/spicing-up-your-yard/feed 0 https://home.101facets.com/happy-international-cat-day https://home.101facets.com/happy-international-cat-day#respond Sat, 08 Aug 2020 05:45:35 +0000 https://home.101facets.com/?p=223208

Continue Reading

So it’s International Cat day, but isn’t cat day everyday? Like, don’t we spoil our furbabies so much, we work our ass off to make them comfortable? That’s a meme that cat moms and cat dads have shared a lot around.

International Cat Day is an unofficial holiday that celebrates cats and all things feline. It is typically observed on August 8, although there are other dates celebrated around the world.

International  Cat Day is a day for cat lovers to spoil their feline companions with extra attention, love, and treats. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the special bond between cats and their humans, as well as to raise awareness about the importance of responsible pet ownership and the welfare of cats.

On International  Cat Day, many people share photos and stories of their cats on social media, participate in cat-themed events or activities, and make donations to animal shelters or other organizations that support cats and their well-being.

While International  Cat Day is not an official holiday, it’s a fun and meaningful way for cat lovers to come together and celebrate their furry friends.

How to Spoil Your Furbaby on Cat Day

Well, there isn’t really  a lot more to do than give extra brushes, extra treats, probably an extra spoon of their favorite hooman food (ham, beef steak, fish).

16-hour Sleep

Cats are known for being excellent sleepers, and it’s true that they do need a lot of sleep. On average, adult cats sleep for 12-16 hours per day, while kittens and senior cats may sleep even more.

There are several reasons why cats need so much sleep:

1. Energy Conservation: Cats are natural predators, and hunting takes a lot of energy. By sleeping for long periods of time, cats conserve their energy so they can be ready to hunt when they are awake.
2. Digestion: Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they require a diet that is high in protein and fat. Digesting this type of food takes a lot of energy, and sleeping helps their bodies conserve energy for this process.
3. Rest and Rejuvenation: Sleep is important for all animals, including cats. During sleep, the body repairs and rejuvenates itself, which is essential for maintaining good health.
4. Mental Stimulation: Cats may not be actively hunting while they sleep, but they are still mentally stimulated. They may dream, or their senses may be alert to any sounds or smells in their environment.

It’s important to note that not all cats sleep for the same amount of time. Some cats may sleep more or less depending on their age, health, and individual temperament. If you are concerned about your cat’s sleep habits, it’s always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian.

Treats and Treats

Cats love treats! You can find a wide variety of cat treats available in pet stores or online, such as crunchy treats, soft treats, dental treats, and even treats for specific health needs. Just be sure to give them in moderation and choose ones that are appropriate for your cat’s age and health.

Brush and Scratch

Brushing your cat regularly can help remove loose hair and prevent hairballs, as well as stimulate the skin and promote a healthy coat. A scratching post or pad can help your cat fulfill their natural instinct to scratch, and can also help prevent them from scratching your furniture or carpet.

Sleeping Pads

Again, cats love to sleep! Providing a comfortable place for them to nap is important. There are many types of cat beds available, such as cozy padded beds, heated beds, hammocks, or even window perches where they can bask in the sun.

Other items you might consider for your cat include:

Toys

Cats love to play! Interactive toys, such as feather wands or laser pointers, can provide mental and physical stimulation for your cat. You can also try puzzle feeders, which make mealtime more fun and challenging.

Litter Box and Litter

A clean litter box is essential for your cat’s health and happiness. Choose a litter box that is the right size for your cat and easy for them to access. There are many types of litter available, such as clumping litter, non-clumping litter, or natural litter made from materials like corn or wheat.

Food and Water Bowls

Choose bowls that are the appropriate size for your cat and made from safe, non-toxic materials. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are a good choice, as they are easy to clean and won’t absorb odors.

 

Help Others Help Cats on Cat Day (and Everyday)

Pin This! (Happy International Cat Day!)

There are a lot of non-profit organizations that need help everyday. Donating to cat shelters is a wonderful way for cat lovers to help support the well-being of cats in need. Here are some tips on how to make a meaningful donation:

Research: Look for reputable cat shelters in your area or online that align with your values and mission. You can use websites like Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet to find shelters near you.

Check their wish list: Many shelters have a wish list of items they need, such as food, litter, toys, or medical supplies. Check their website or call them to see what items they need most.

Monetary donation: Monetary donations are always appreciated, as they allow shelters to purchase necessary supplies and provide veterinary care for cats in need. You can donate online, in person, or by mail.

Volunteer: If you have time and energy to spare, consider volunteering at a cat shelter. Many shelters rely on volunteers to help with tasks such as cleaning, feeding, and socializing cats.

Spread the word: Share information about the shelter and their needs on social media, with friends and family, or at your workplace or community. This can help raise awareness and encourage others to donate or volunteer.

Remember, even a small donation can make a big difference in the lives of cats in need. Your support can help provide shelter, food, and medical care for cats who might not have otherwise been able to receive these basic needs.

]]> https://home.101facets.com/happy-international-cat-day/feed 0 https://home.101facets.com/beautifying-the-balcony https://home.101facets.com/beautifying-the-balcony#respond Thu, 30 Jul 2020 20:31:02 +0000 http://home.101facets.com/?p=381

Continue Reading

]]>

Growing herbs (Beautifying The Balcony)

I grew up surrounded by plants and trees, most especially tropical fruit trees which I truly love. Talk about papaya, soursop, avocado, coconut and banana. There are pineapples, mangoes, starfruits and a lot more though I may have forgotten what they are exactly called. Now living in a city, in an apartment high above the ground, there’s just no way that I’d be able to have any tree at all. The most I can plant to have some greenery around our simple abode are ornamental plants and to make things smell sweeter, herbs and some smaller vegetables.

I’ve seen a lot of balcony photos on pinterest and pretty ones while out travelling and those have piqued my interest on how others are beautifying the balcony their home has. Our little balcony has had a lot of changes and here are some things you can also do or add to make your own balcony pretty.

Charming balcony seen somewhere in Pienza, Siena, Italy

Herbify

There may be not much space in our balcony but with careful and calculated spacing, we’re able to have basil for spaghetti, dill for our fish dishes, parsley for carbonara and potatoes, thyme, oregano, capsicum and if they thrive; bell peppers, carrots and cucumber too. Oh, we also have grapes planted at a corner.

Planting herbs is not only beneficial in that sense. They also beautify one’s home and at times repel certain insects. Lemongrass and basil for example makes mosquitoes go away. Lavender, though rarely used for cooking, repel moths and fleas. Mice hate mint which smells really good. Sweet Woodruff or Potpourri plant as I call it deters moth, carpet beetles and at times, ants.

As if that’s not enough, these mini-plants are still beneficial even if you don’t need them. The discarded parts are good as compost.

Wood Floors and Artificial Grass

On a recent trip to Ikea, I’ve seen wood floors by the square meters at the garden section. I immediately thought that those would be perfect for small balcony spaces to give it a more homey feel. As they are easily removable, it makes the original floor easy to clean. (See right photo).

Another option for you in beautifying the balcony of your dreams would be AstroTurf, or more commonly known as artificial grass. Living in the upper floors mean not having a feel of the grass underneath your bare soles (not that those living below, do). I mean walking barefoot does have benefits for your health, and installing fake grass even on your balcony could bring you some of those good things.

Walking barefoot on grass is a natural way to bring down inflammation if one is suffering from an injury or disease. It also improves the nervous system, and induce a number of stimulation to improve blood flow that brings about good physical benefits. Also, looking at anything green around you gives you comfort, and a relaxing feeling.

Planters, Flowering Plants and Succulents

There are planters specifically for hanging on balcony railings and these are great to add to save flooring space. The most beautiful plants for such planters are pelargoniums, asters, hydrangeas, hibiscus, small roses, and I’ve had tulips at some point too.

Nowadays, succulents are very prolific and it’s also very easy to maintain, you can easily add them on a corner shelf or on the window pane outside to add more green elements on your balcony. They have also become an added income-generator to some. They are easy to propagate so some friends of mine have been selling them off.

Rattan and Palette Furniture

There’s always a space for a chair or a homemade corner sofa with a cushion of your favorite color. Pallet furniture has been popular outdoor additions to balconies, terraces, and patios. Rattans are also another option, they look elegant and cozy and are also durable. You can add either of these two to add both functionality and appeal to any outdoor area.

You can also add a corner table, or a functional coffee-tray table for when you want to enjoy your mornings out with a cup of joe.

Candle lanterns, Salt Crystals, Floor Pillows, Rugs, String Lights

At times, minimal furniture does not apply for the balcony, you can splurge and put a lot of things to make it cozy and even extra-beautiful. Adding elements of light will make the atmosphere in your balcony romantic at night. To keep it safe, use candle lanterns instead of (open) candle holders to minimize/avoid the danger of starting fire. If candles aren’t for you, opt for string lights.

Salt crystals are another element that’s not only nice for the eyes, their good for your health too. Light up a candle in one while reading a book and have yourself feeling invigorated.

Summer, breezy afternoons could make you feeling sleepy, and pillows or cushions are your friends on those days. But floor pillows add both functionality and color to your balcony. You can stick to a theme color or go all the way flashy and bright with your choice of pillows. If you opt for plain ones, then at least get a splashy rug for a comely contrast.

For us, summer doesn’t last a long time. It is thus justifiable to be extravagant when it comes to balcony space. You can certainly beautify the balcony for less, and it would be pleasing, but there’s also no rule to not splurge if you can.

Pin This! (Beautifying The Balcony)

Pin! (Beautifying The Balcony)

]]> https://home.101facets.com/beautifying-the-balcony/feed 0

Things to Consider When Redesigning Your Home : Redesign or Update

You have some time on your hands. As I do. If you have decided that it is past time to redesign your home, there are a number of things that you will need to consider. Your ideas will depend on a host of many different factors. If you are planning to do the job yourself, there are many guides and tips that can help you. If you are planning to hire a design firm or contractor, there are other things that you will need to consider.

Costs

The cost of your redesign project will depend on the specific room that you are designing, the size of the space you are working with, and your specific goals for your project. The time required will also depend on these factors. You cannot expect to completely redesign every room in your home all at the same time. Multiple rooms will take time and if you are hiring a contractor or interior design firm, you can inquire about the length of time required for the finished project prior to hiring.

DIY or Designer Deeds

You may also want to inquire about cost before you hire a specific designer. Most will gladly come to your home and give you an estimate based on the room you are designing as well as your goals for the project. If you are planning to do this work yourself, spend a bit of time getting an idea of the products that you will need and compare prices from different retailers and home improvement stores so that you have a fair idea of the overall cost.

Things to Consider When Redesigning Your Home : Plants

Even if you are planning to do the work yourself, it is a good idea to speak with a professional designer or contractor, particularly if you are making major renovations. You can easily get the home space that you want through various design techniques and a professional design firm or contractor can help to ensure that this space does not take more time than it should to complete.

Consult Experts

However, the best advise to be given is to hire a professional practice who will provide a comprehensive architectural and interior design service. This could be for any residential, commercial or hospitality property. Using an experienced design team who are experts in the field of decorative and/or structural design means that they will place absolute importance on understanding the particular needs and wishes of you, the client, for a personalised service and delivering the project to an uncompromisingly high standard.

Pin This! (6 Things to Consider When Redesigning Your Home)

Storage Areas, Shed, Cellar

One of the overlooked area when redesigning would be the cellar, shed and storages. These need attention too and could be turned into both functional and beautiful areas. Give time to develop your cellar and you will have extra space to do a lot more stuff : a cinema room, a gym, or an extra guest room.

Plants

Whether real plants, wall decals, or paintings, flowers and plants can make your home look cozy and homey. Consider getting some to upgrade the look of your home.

Redesign or Update?

Sometimes, an update of stuff at home is a lot better than just redesigning. For functionality, for example, you can update kitchen and bath sinks to one that would last longer than what you have previously installed. Your floors could also be better when updated for longevity. You can also update to a much sturdy door.